When Derek Bater purchased the former 1000-capacity Eclipse nightclub with partner Edwin Amor he immediately contacted his old friend Phil Soltys at PSD. One of Soltys’ first jobs had been at the famous Tall Trees in Newquay many years ago when Bater had been the owner - and the two men have remained lifelong friends.The previous owner had taken it out of its reincarnation as a bingo hall, and when Messrs Bater and Amor inherited the venue - which they’ve renamed ‘The Club’ - they recarpeted and refitted the place. Taking advantage of the extra custom introduced to the Dudley area by the nearby Merryhill Shopping Centre, they are now presenting a full sound and lighting spec in a venue that hosts four bars.
Phil Soltys decided that a combination of four Martin Audio Blackline H3s, groundstacked with four S218 subs, powered by Ecler amplifiers, would provide the best value for money solution. Delay points are set for a pair of Blackline F15s midway back in the auditorium. F15s also provide coverage for the upstairs balcony area, while a pair of F12s provide underbalcony fills and a further pair of F12s provide the DJs with excellent monitor referencing.
System management is entrusted to Soltys’ favoured BSS FDS-366 Omnidrive Compact Plus, and playback devices include Technics SL1210 turntables, Denon CD player and an Allen & Heath Xone:62 mixer. All the lighting is from the Robe catalogue.
Meanwhile, the two partners’ future plans are to get the top floor fully operational as a VIP room and extend the present weekend trading pattern to a four-nights-per-week operation.
(Ruth Rossington)
